Suggestion for Network Organization Scheme in

Schools of Vojvodina and Applied Moodle

Distance Learning System in Global and Local
Network
Z.P. Rastovic*
*

Mechanical Engineering High School/CAD, Novi Sad, Serbia

rastovic@uns.ns.ac.yu

Abstract in this paper scheme of organization of local and

global school network in Vojvodina is suggested, with
possibility of using open source Moodle(www.moodle.org)
distance learning system. Two main types of network are
described, the one with central database server and the
other with local database servers.

realization of distance learning system should satisfy these

basic functions:

I. INTRODUCTION
By analyzing the high school equipment in Vojvodina,
we came to a conclusion that in a small number of schools
there such entities as school networks, but even if it does
exist it is not used properly nor it is used enough. One of
main omissions is non-existence of administrator
employee, on the level of the entire republic. Next
systematic omission is non-existence of suitable seminars
for specializing and advancement of educational workers.
From todays seminars for specializing and advancement
it is impossible to project the course of informatics
education for a single user. We will describe the given
problem on an example of class Computer Aided Design.
For a long period of time in most of the mechanical
engineering schools these classes are carried out by using
ProEngineer Wildfire program. The realization of
educational process is left to creativity of single professor
since the educational plans are written ten or more years
ago for some other program packages. The principle of
functioning of the program package, so as the educational
process in a network environment is mostly unknown to
most of the professors. There are some students books
which are usually reprinted tutorials of the manufacturer,
who of course does not care about conveniences for the
professors, nor do they care about intellectual abilities of
the kids for comprehending this matter. Classes of
designing mechanical elements and constructions is
carried out without any correlation to descriptive
geometry so that the students can actually construct the
head of the nut, but they do not know which curved line is
made by trimming the edge on the hexagonal head of the
nut Ref. [1].
The next big problem is lack of computer equipment in
schools and students homes, especially noticeable is the
small number of Internet users (Lately the number is
increasing). Until now in our province, high school kids,
even elementary school kids have been using Internet
mainly for gaming or multimedia use. Design and

School is open twenty four-seven

Knowledge base is upgraded every year
The system is used for both formal and informal
education.
Forming of the unique SQL database in schools
and synchronization of the same with the central
database in province Ministry of Education.

II. DISTANCE LEARNING MOODLE SISTEM

Distance Learning System is a system based on modern ICT
technology in almost every aspect of learning. Learning on a
network over the Internet represents the main idea of this
system. This way the coming of the student to the school
building is left out. Internet is used for realization of conditions
for user interaction with the content, professors (authors) and
rest of the users in distance learning model of learning. Lecture
courses of different kinds: computer courses, foreign languages,
theme seminars, business seminars, traditional education
(mathematics, physics, history etc.). Distance learning allows
work and complete control over the courses on the Internet so as
the accomplishment of two-way communication and data
exchange. The system is generally designed for all kinds of
organizations who organize educational courses. The system
uses Moodle platform for both global and local area network.
Moodle is the name of a program that allows the classroom to
extend onto web. Professor carries out the course on his own
computer, the students follow him by a video-beam and
computer network. The computer network allows the professor
to follow the step by step progress of every student and help
him to solve problems on his/her computer. Electronic lecturing
allows undisturbed individual improvement I terms of
heterogeneity group of students. By solving regular tests the
students could self-grade themselves and follow their own
progress in certain phases of educational process. This way of
work is optimized in terms of following the speed of
informatics sciences and as such mostly unknown to most of
our teachers and professors.

III. MAIN LAN ORGANIZATION IN ONE SCHOOL

Design of the necessary computer equipment for the
realization of the project very much depends on the needs
of the users and actual technical capacities of the schools.
For the designed computer network to successfully satisfy
all the needs at the possible way, it is necessary to define

groups of users in one school, by kind of work they do and

their role inside the organization, and then set aside the
needs of every group individually. In this case we set
aside four main groups of users:
Management
Administration
Classrooms, cabinets and specialized cabinets
Students office, library

Figure 2. Network function

Figure 1. Basic idea of LAN organization in one school

After short analysis we could conclude that all users

have needs which can be successfully over passed by
todays computer networks:
Needs for detailed records
Easy and fast access to all data including distant
locations
The need for fast and easy communication of all
employees can be solved by use of advanced internal mail
server, with possible additional options for planning
obligations on the level of whole organization. (Office
Exchange)
Fax and print services would solve, on a global scale,
the need for printing materials, receiving and sending fax
documents.
Internet connection will make possible to all the users
to communicate with all outer associates of the
organization easy and fast, so as easy and fast searching of
all required data.
After we defined the needs of the users, we will
basically quote which network services are necessary so
all of the needs would be satisfied:
Client-server databases for all users while data
processing
Connection of all distant objects because of the
possibility of access to all required data, as well as
because of global communication and collective
organization.
fax and print servers
office exchange server
Internet connection servers

As a final result we get a fully functional entity which

satisfies all the needs of all users of the network. The final
goal of the project would be:
stability, continuity and safety at work
simplicity of use for the final users
automation and shortening of time needed for
doing everyday operations
IV.GLOBAL NETWORK ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS IN
VOJVODINA

Figure 3. Basic idea of school network organization with Distance

Learning centre

There are two possible models of network

organization based on database functioning:
Model with central server database
Model with local server database
NOTE: In terms of increasing the stability and safety of
the data and system, an additional database server would
be used, which would work in pair with his corresponding

up-server. This server would update the data parallel with

his up-server and so, in any time, it would contain an
identical copy of all data. In case of any stoppage of work
of the main database server, the server replicate could
overtake the role of the main server. This way, the users
could continue their work undisturbed. The described way
of database server work is called replication of data, so
these servers are called replicate servers.
V. CENTRAL DATABASE SERVER MODEL

Figure 6. LAN organization with Central Database Server 1-B

Topology
One active central server would serve all
network users including ones on distant
objects.

Requires more powerful server computer and

additional safety precautions.
Advantages
Easier maintenance and optional upgrade.
Simpler network structure.
Disadvantages
In case of any network problems between
distant objects, the objects which access the
server from distance would be unable to work
normally until the problem is solved.

Figure 4. Organization of the DL centre with central Database server

VI. LOCAL DATABASE SERVER MODEL

Figure 5. LAN organization with Central Database Server 1-A

Figure 7. Distance learning centre organization with local database
server

exception of distant object communication on

other locations.
Increased safety
Disadvantages

Additional investments for the network

More complex maintenance

VII. OTHER NETWORK SERVICES
A. Office Exchange / Mail Service

Figure 8. LAN organization with Local Database Server 2-A

The need of users for easy communication

would be satisfied by installing an internal server for email exchange. The existence of the internal server would
allow communication of all employees in the
organization, global sending of reports and
acknowledgments to all employees or just particular
sectors, so as fast and easy exchange of documentation.
All these activities could be broadened by options for
global planning of work in the organization, obligation
schedules, simple shift planning, so as eventual specific
organizational needs, which can be implemented on
demand. With additional broadenings we would get so
called Office Exchange server. Server for e-mail
exchange is also suitable for Internet-connection upgrade,
by which this service would be upgraded to Internet email exchange, which would simultaneously turn the
system to a communication system for information
exchange with the world.
B. Fax service
User needs for sending and receiving of fax
documents can also be solved by this network system.
That way it would be possible to send a fax message from
whatever computer on the network. Also, the receiving of
fax documents would be automated and very flexible to
all specific needs of the users.
C. Continuous high-speed internet connection

Figure 9. LAN organization with Local Database Server 2-B

Topology
Setting up a special database server into every
object which would satisfy all the basic needs
of that particular object.
It would be possible for the users to access the
distant database objects.
Advantages
In case of any problems between distant
objects it would be possible for an object to
continue with internal work undisturbed, with

Continuous high-speed Internet connection

would allow simple and fast communication with all
outer associates of the organization, so as fast and easy
search for any kind of information. Continuity and great
connection speed will result with instant results of the
search, the availability of information at any moment,
from any computer on the network. It is possible to
implement access control to the Internet for each station.
D. Administrator work station
For the needs of system maintenance it is necessary
to install at least one, and depending on terms of further
system development, up to three administrator work
stations. These computers would be used by network
administrators and repair-service employees for needs of
regular maintenance, upgrade and setting up of the

system of course in terms of satisfying the users needs.

From these computers the administrator would have
access to all work-stations and server settings on the
network. The computers would have built-in equipment
for making copies of all data which are used in work of
the organization. This would surely upgrade the level of
security and quick restoration of all data, in case of any
damage by human, natural or any other factor would be
available.

VIII. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT AND TECHNICAL

REALIZATION

A. Server computers

Windows XP operational systems would be used

on places where, because of some particular issues, is
absolutely necessary. For an example: in offices where
the use of Microsoft Office, ProEngineer or similar
program packages is necessary.
2) Additional office software
Due to needs of all users, all required software
would be acquired, installed and set up.
3) Network and database safety programs
For all computers with Windows XP OS,
qualities anti virus and firewall installment are necessary.
4) Purpose software for user requirements

Server computers would be specially chosen and

tested with intentions of stable and safe work even under
great load in an extended period of time. All of the server
computers would have continuous power supplies with
over-voltage security systems. They would also have
advanced options for fast and easy maintenance, so long
and continuous work would be possible.

Probably the most important, most difficult and most

complex software component is purpose software for
management of all organization work. Those include:
Updating of all information about the students
All the needed applications for normal
functioning of the administration
Optional special requirements of the users

B. User computers

This software is specially designed for specific needs of

the organization. The whole system would be made from
two main components:

User work stations would be quality computers,

completely adapted to all specific needs of all user
categories, but with special care for individual user needs.
Optionally every computer could be equipped with a
printer or any other peripheral accessory. Continuous
power supplies with over-voltage security systems would
also be included.
C. Continuous power supply
Equipment for continuous power supply would
be used wherever possible and required. This is of utmost
importance due to our bad electrical power systems, so as
for computer sensitivity to those factors.
D. Software
1) Operational systems
The choice of system software comes down to
two leading operational systems in the world: Linux and
Miscrosoft Windows XP.
Because of its unique qualities Linux operatinal
systems are uncompromised in situations where the
imperatives are: safety, reliability and work under hightempo for an extended periods of time. Because of the
these caracteristics Linux would be used on all server
computers. This would allow long periods of continuous
work, without any problems nor stoppage. It is important
to mention that Linux OS are completely free.

Server components
database which would be on the database
servers
server software for data access
User components
it would be constructed from several user
applications situated on user computers from
which the users would access the data, doing
their ever-day routines.
While designing this complex system, we should
respect following principles:
precise analysis and defining user needs
complete integration of all functions required
by the user
fast and easy access to all available data from
any location
simple use
client-server structures
easy upgrades and changes in case of
increased demands

IX. CONCLUSION
Designing and setting up a network between
schools in Vojvodina is a complex task which requires
specialist engagement, at first look, of different
specialties and competence. Practically it is impossible to
design a project of this kind without a special team which
would be consisted by a team of specialist from Ministry
of Education and a suitable network-design team. Two
suggested solutions are imposed only as an idea solution
for the beginning of the job. In this idea solution are
given main directions for the realization of this project.
Final solution before the definitve design documentation
would be brought up in a pre-project solution and would
be a result of detailed analysis of special team.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I give special thanks to my close friend student, Milos
Stanic who has translated this text with lots of effort and
gave some useful tips. I also give special thanks to
provincial Minister of Education PhD. Zoltan Jeges on his
understanding and support page.
REFERENCES
[1]

Z. P. Rastovic Descriptive Geometry and CAD/ CAM in

elementary and high school, X XIII conference of descriptive
geometry and engineering graphic MoNGeometrija 2006, Novi
Sad, 22.-24. September 2006, pp. 90-91.